Facing an upcoming lease expiry, T2 shifted their office to a modern warehouse space in central Melbourne. Their new workplace has improved collaboration and has better enabled T2 to showcase and develop their brand.
T2 are global tea specialists. But they represent so much more than tea – they challenge the way things are done, and have made it their mission to use brews to fuel discussion around diversity, inclusion and sustainability. With a mission to integrate this brand identity into their new workplace, T2 engaged Unispace to create a modern office design that would highlight these core values.
The new office space presented some challenges due to the warehouse’s limited natural light, poor acoustics and high ceilings. To overcome this, a light well was added at the rear, and the back of the building was demolished and rebuilt to make way for end-of-trip facilities. These included bike storage, to encourage staff to get to work in more eco-friendly and enjoyable ways.
The new workplace design also features an open office layout – central areas are designated for connectivity, and these are surrounded by closed meeting rooms for group or quiet work. A staircase leads to the upper level, which features a tea workshop – this is where new blends can be created and tested, and it also doubles as a space for teamwork and collaboration.
When entering the office, T2’s reception immediately immerses guests into their brand, by showcasing their products as the hero of the space. Within it, a large Persian rug and combination of antique and modern furniture also helps create a warm, eclectic and homely environment. As T2 wanted their new space to celebrate their dual identities as a global brand as well as a local business, they commissioned a local graffiti artist to create bespoke artwork throughout the office, and displayed more local art pieces in their meeting rooms.
Sustainability was also a crucial part of the design brief, so many sustainable materials and resources were used as part of the build. For example, the carpet featured in the work area was made from recycled bottles.
The collaborative process between T2 and Unispace was critical to the success of the process. “It was a fast-paced design and build for Unispace, and, I think under the pressure they performed really well. It’s a really great space to work in,” said Kate Iles, Head of Store Design, T2.
Project: T2
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Design Studio: Unispace
Photo Credit: Unispace
Website: unispace.com
